Hair cutting device

Abstract

A hair cutting guide for use with either a conventional pair of shears or hair clippers comprises a housing having first and second openings therein and a guide portion for receiving the conventional cutting apparatus in such a manner so as to define a cutting region within the housing. The housing is coupled to a source of vacuum at its output end, and its input end is coupled to at least one input member of a predetermined length. In this manner, hair is drawn into the input member under the force of the vacuum to the cutting region where it is clipped. The clipped hair is then drawn out of the housing by the vacuum to a collection area. The input members may vary in length and shape so as to achieve a desired hair style.

I claim: 
     
       1. A hair cutting apparatus for use in conjunction with a source of vacuum, said apparatus comprising: a housing means having an input opening and an output opening, said output opening for coupling to said source of vacuum;   cutting means for cutting hair within said housing means;   power conversion means for converting air velocity within said housing means to power for said cutting means; at least one input member of a predetermined length coupled to said input opening such that hair is drawn into said input opening by said vacuum; and   a paddle wheel positioned within said housing proximate said input opening and said cutting region, said paddle wheel for turning under the force of said vacuum and for guiding hair entering said input opening to said cutting means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said power conversion means comprises power transfer means to transfer rotational power of said paddle wheel to said cutting means. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a generally transverse cylindrical portion for housing said paddle wheel. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined length corresponds to that which is necessary to achieve a desired hair length. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one input member has an output end coupled to said input opening and has an input end through which hair to be cut enters. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plane of said input end is substantially parallel to the plane of said output end. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said at least one input member is detachably securable to said input opening. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power conversion means functions independently of said paddle wheel. 
     
     
       9. A hair cutting apparatus for use in conjunction with a source of vacuum, said apparatus comprising: a first housing means having an input opening and an output opening, said output opening connected to a source of vacuum causing hair to be drawn through said input opening;   a second housing means, said second housing means having an input opening, and an output opening, said input opening of said second housing means being conducted to said output opening of said first housing means; cutting means for cutting hair located within said second housing means;   paddle wheel means within said first housing means for guiding hair to said cutting means; and   power conversion means within said second housing means for converting air velocity within said second housing means to power for said cutting means.   
     
     
       10. The hair cutting apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first housing means and said second housing means are detachably connected. 
     
     
       11. A hair cutting apparatus for use in conjunction with a source of vacuum, said apparatus comprising: a housing means having an input opening and an output opening, said output opening for coupling to said source of vacuum;   cutting means for cutting hair within said housing means;   at least one input member of a predetermined length coupled to said input opening such that hair is drawn into said input opening by said vacuum;   guide means, mounted in said input member and movable in response to the flow of air through said housing, for guiding hair in said input member to said cutting means; and   power conversion means, independent of said guide means, for converting air velocity within said housing means to power for said cutting means.   
     
     
       12. A hair cutting apparatus for use in conjunction with a source of vacuum, said apparatus comprising: a housing means having an input opening and an output opening, and defining a longitudinally extending flow path, said output opening for coupling to said source of vacuum;   cutting means for cutting hair within said housing means;   power conversion means for converting air velocity within said housing means to power for said cutting means, said power conversion means including a propeller having   a central hub mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said flow path, and   a plurality of blades of predetermined height extending radially from said central hub, and     shaft means extending longitudinally from and rotatable with said hub, said shaft means having one end coupled to said cutting means for transferring rotational power thereto;   at least one input member of a predetermined length coupled to said input opening such that hair is drawn into said input opening by said vacuum; and   guide means for guiding hair in said input member to said cutting region.   
     
     
       13. A hair cutting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the clearance between each of said blades and said housing is negligible in relation to the height of said blades. 
     
     
       14. The hair cutting device of claim 12, wherein said power conversion device comprises a full admission axial flow turbine.